2026 midterm winners and losers: Democrats surge, Trump and Musk falter

Democrats achieved a historic victory in the 2026 midterm elections, delivering a major setback to President Donald Trump's lame-duck presidency. The results signal a significant shift in political power and a rebuke of the current administration. Key Democratic winners include Jon Ossoff, who won Senate reelection by 18 points, and several gubernatorial candidates who made history. Black political power surged with four Black governors-elect, including Georgia's Keisha Lance Bottoms as the first Black female governor. Democrats also gained full control of at least six state governments and over-performed in traditionally Republican states like Texas and Kansas. Major losers include Donald Trump, whose personal involvement and policies on tariffs and the Iran war backfired, and Elon Musk, whose spending failed to prevent GOP losses. The GOP's gerrymandering efforts gained little, while controversial campaign tactics and candidates like Ken Paxton and Roger Marshall underperformed significantly. The election set a post-Watergate benchmark for midterm routs, with Democrats winning the popular vote by around 13 points.